Richard Oakes (activist)
Encyclopedia
Richard Oakes was a Mohawk
Native American
activist who promoted the fundamental idea that Native peoples have a right to sovereignty, justice, respect and control over their own destinies. His legacy reflects the struggles of Native peoples and all people to maintain their land, identity, and lifeways.
Oakes played an integral part in creating one of the first Native American studies
departments in the nation. He developed the initial curriculum and encouraged other American Indians to enroll at San Francisco State University
.
As a Mohawk Indian, Oakes was a strong supporter of Native American rights. He believed that Native American people have a right to their land and identity and that they deserve respect, justice and control.
that would last until 1971. He also recruited 80 UCLA students from the American Indian Studies Center.
Indians of various tribes joined Oakes and staged the longest occupation of a federal facility by Indian people.
The historic occupation was made up initially of young Indian college students. Described as a handsome, charismatic, talented, and natural leader, Oakes was identified as "chief" of the island.
Oakes had control of the island from the very beginning, with an organizational council put into effect immediately. Everyone had a job, including security, sanitation, day care, schooling, cooking, and laundry. All decisions were made by the unanimous consent of the people.
The goals of the Indian inhabitants were to gain a deed to the island, establish an Indian university, cultural center, and museum.
In 1970 the island began to fall into disarray once Oakes' 13-year-old stepdaughter fell to her death. After the fatality, Oakes left the island, along with numerous students who went back to school.
Conflicts over leadership and the influx of non-Indians diminished the important stance of the original occupants.
In June 1971 the United States government removed the remaining 15 occupants from the island.
While Oakes and his followers did not succeed in obtaining the island, they did affect U.S. policy and the treatment of Indians. As a result of the occupation, the official U.S. government policy of termination of Indian tribes was ended and replaced by a policy of Indian self-determination.
Soon after that, however, Oakes was shot and killed by a man named Michael Morgan, a YMCA camp manager. Morgan had a reputation for being rough with Indian kids, and apparently did so again in Oakes' presence. Oakes reportedly confronted him, and Morgan responded by drawing a handgun and fatally shooting him. Morgan was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Six months later, charges against Morgan were dropped on the grounds that Oakes had moved aggressively toward him. Oakes died September 20, 1972 in Sonoma, California
at the age of 31.
Mohawk nation
Mohawk are the most easterly tribe of the Iroquois confederation. They call themselves Kanien'gehaga, people of the place of the flint...
Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
activist who promoted the fundamental idea that Native peoples have a right to sovereignty, justice, respect and control over their own destinies. His legacy reflects the struggles of Native peoples and all people to maintain their land, identity, and lifeways.
Oakes played an integral part in creating one of the first Native American studies
Native American Studies
Native American Studies is an interdisciplinary academic field that examines the history, culture, politics, issues and contemporary experience of Native peoples in North America, or, taking a hemispheric approach, the Americas...
departments in the nation. He developed the initial curriculum and encouraged other American Indians to enroll at San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University
San Francisco State University is a public university located in San Francisco, California. As part of the 23-campus California State University system, the university offers over 100 areas of study from nine academic colleges...
.
As a Mohawk Indian, Oakes was a strong supporter of Native American rights. He believed that Native American people have a right to their land and identity and that they deserve respect, justice and control.
Alcatraz occupation
In 1969, Oakes led a group of students and urban Bay Area Indians in an occupation of Alcatraz IslandAlcatraz Island
Alcatraz Island is an island located in the San Francisco Bay, offshore from San Francisco, California, United States. Often referred to as "The Rock" or simply "Traz", the small island was developed with facilities for a lighthouse, a military fortification, a military prison, and a Federal...
that would last until 1971. He also recruited 80 UCLA students from the American Indian Studies Center.
Indians of various tribes joined Oakes and staged the longest occupation of a federal facility by Indian people.
The historic occupation was made up initially of young Indian college students. Described as a handsome, charismatic, talented, and natural leader, Oakes was identified as "chief" of the island.
Oakes had control of the island from the very beginning, with an organizational council put into effect immediately. Everyone had a job, including security, sanitation, day care, schooling, cooking, and laundry. All decisions were made by the unanimous consent of the people.
The goals of the Indian inhabitants were to gain a deed to the island, establish an Indian university, cultural center, and museum.
In 1970 the island began to fall into disarray once Oakes' 13-year-old stepdaughter fell to her death. After the fatality, Oakes left the island, along with numerous students who went back to school.
Conflicts over leadership and the influx of non-Indians diminished the important stance of the original occupants.
In June 1971 the United States government removed the remaining 15 occupants from the island.
While Oakes and his followers did not succeed in obtaining the island, they did affect U.S. policy and the treatment of Indians. As a result of the occupation, the official U.S. government policy of termination of Indian tribes was ended and replaced by a policy of Indian self-determination.
After Alcatraz
Shortly after leaving Alcatraz, Richard was injured in a fight, having been hit in the head with a pool cue. In a coma for over 30 days, all hope for his recovery was nearly lost. Friends credit the appearance of his mentor Wallace Mad Bear Anderson of the Iroquois Confederacy, and spiritual leader, with bringing him back to life.Soon after that, however, Oakes was shot and killed by a man named Michael Morgan, a YMCA camp manager. Morgan had a reputation for being rough with Indian kids, and apparently did so again in Oakes' presence. Oakes reportedly confronted him, and Morgan responded by drawing a handgun and fatally shooting him. Morgan was charged with involuntary manslaughter. Six months later, charges against Morgan were dropped on the grounds that Oakes had moved aggressively toward him. Oakes died September 20, 1972 in Sonoma, California
Sonoma, California
Sonoma is a historically significant city in Sonoma Valley, Sonoma County, California, USA, surrounding its historic town plaza, a remnant of the town's Mexican colonial past. It was the capital of the short-lived California Republic...
at the age of 31.
External links
- Alcatraz National Park, We Hold the Rock
- SF State, Richard Oakes Multicultural Center
- SF State, Heroes
- San Francisco Bay Area Television Archive: Alcatraz videos. Video:short Oakes interview @2:40
- Native Circle, May 2010 History – Richard Oakes
- ABC-CLIO, Occupation of Alcatraz Island
- PBS, Alcatraz is Not an Island